ALLIANCE: A HIGH SHOALS NOVEL

by E.M. Phillips

THINGS ARE NOT AS THEY SEEM IN SHOALS – the idyllic small town in the Florida Panhandle where Southern hospitality is a warning in this first novel of The HIGH SHOALS Series by author E. M. Phillips.

Nathan and Blythe weathered the unraveling of dark secrets that kept them apart in CHOKEHOLD, Book I of The High Shoals Series. The hurricane that finally brought them together may have passed, but the real storm is yet to come.

Lovestruck that their story has finally begun, it’s easy to forget these parts are home to dangerous things. The serpents in Shoals are always lurking in their muddy past, ready to strike with the slightest misstep.

While they make up for lost time, the people that run the town are forming alliances that threaten the life Nathan is trying to build for Blythe. If they aren’t careful, they’ll find themselves in over their head. Amidst the chaos, Blythe’s addiction to Nathan’s darkness becomes the only thing that can save them.


Will they ever escape the past or will it consume them?

*******************************************

NOTE: This book is the second installment in The HIGH SHOALS Series and cannot be read as a stand alone or out of sequence. If you have not previously read CHOKEHOLD, the characters and events in ALLIANCE will not be understood.

Author's Disclaimer:
The author wishes to make note that ALLIANCE deals with topics including submission, consent, self-harm, death, infidelity, substance abuse, scenes of graphic sexual nature, and views contrary to Christianity. Anyone who finds these subject matters to be triggering are encouraged to consider their well-being before deciding to continue reading.

Unknown Binding

About the author

E. M. Phillips writes dark, Southern Gothic romantic suspense. She grew up in the heart of Florida immersed in all the heavily cultural and historically nuanced reasons that make her home unique. She still resides in North Florida with her family and draws inspiration from dark forests, old cemeteries, and just about every creature she meets, especially the slithery ones. If it weren’t for her intense love of the deep south, she might just stop saying ‘Y’all’ - but that'd be as crazy as pettin’ a swamp puppy with a plump hen.

Reviews

[Alt Reads]

Review of advanced copy from the author..

I was so excited to get back into Shoals and to the intense chemistry between Nathan and Blythe.

Wowee the spice was 🥵 I did love Chokehold but my god this book was fantastic! E.M Phillips really hit her stride!

The chemistry, THE SECRETS how deep do they go!? How many are involved??
Can we all agree Calvin needs a vicious visit from karma ( in the name of Blythe, Nathan and Mason?)

Now I thought I knew what I was getting into with this book but I was oh so wrong! Yes it is steamy and boy is that aspect sensationally done. But the story of Shoals, the parents and the lawless rich citizens is so mysterious, dark and frankly angering.
I want to see every single one get exactly what they deserve, those poor women of Shoals and how does Blythes mother and her death fit into all this?
Nathan's mother? What is she up to?

Also Mason, my heart aches for him. Blythe and Nathan are destiny but I wish poor Mason hadn't fallen so hard (you cant blame the bloke Blythe is 🔥). He deserves so much happiness, love and pure acceptance of all he is.
Wouldn't be angry at relationship between all 3, but absolutely no way Nathan would share.

Nathans protective streak was swoon worthy, he would and could burn the world for Blythe and to hell with the consequences!

I can not wait for the 3rd and final installment, I need so many answers! I need Blythe, Nathan and Mason to find peace and just live.

You will not regret this series!

[Teressa Oliverio]

This book had me completely invested in Nathan and Blythe. Watching them navigate a second chance relationship while dealing with all the pressure, secrets, and absolute chaos of Shoals was SO good. Their relationship feels intense, complicated, and completely consuming, and I loved getting to watch them find their way back to each other while the town around them seems determined to tear everything apart.

And the spice… OH MY GOD THE SPICE. Nathan and Blythe have chemistry for DAYS and I was absolutely not prepared for just how spicy this book was going to be.

But what really got me was how much their relationship felt like the heart of the story. They have so much history and so much to overcome, but there is this undeniable pull between them that made it impossible for me to stop reading. Add in the dark secrets, small town pressure, danger, and the feeling that nothing in Shoals is ever what it seems, and I was hooked.

I thought I knew what I was getting into after Chokehold, but apparently Shoals still had plenty more chaos to throw at me. And honestly? I am absolutely here for it, bring on book 3!!

[b00kishbritt]

Oh my goddd! The way I'm SO invested in this place and these people!
This is book 2 in the High Shoals series, & Phillips really turned up the heat with this one. The spice got SPICEY and the secrets got DARKER. We're really started to get the picture of just how far the corruption in Shoals goes.
We're talking layers upon layers of complicated feelings, & uncomfortable secrets.
So much emotion poured into each page. And each character was so real, as frustrating as some situations could be, you understood them.
There was abit of a love triangle happening as Blythes past & present collided, and honestly both our MMCs were such green flags, I was rooting for both of them😅
Nathan & Blythe are obviously meant to be, but the way Mason was waiting for her. Ugh. His POVs wrecked me. I hope he gets the happiest ending.
The ending had my mind reeling. Sh*ts about to get crazy!
Cannot wait for book 3, Reckoning. I need answers. I need more Nathan&Blythe!! I NEED more Mason!!
Something big is brewing in Shoals.

•Southern Gothic Romance
•Small Town Secrets
•Deep South Florida Vibes
•Addicting Drama
•Suspence
•KEY LIME PIE 🍋‍🟩🥵

[Heather]

This was a fabulous continuation of Chokehold; and it is a wonderful combination of Spicy Romance and Suspense - like the best genre Oreo ever! It’s going to leave me with many other books not living up to my high expectations. I met some of my favorite characters amidst some serious heat and trigger warnings.

[Alcira Soto]

I received an ARC of Alliance, and I loved this one! 🖤

The lingering love and hunger between Nathan and Blythe had me hooked. And Nathan being the “I’d burn the whole world for you” type? YES. 😮‍💨🔥 I definitely felt for Mason though he’s such a gentleman and deserves his own happiness. The steamy scenes were STEAMING 🥵 and that ending?! GOD DAMN. Speechless. I seriously cannot wait for The Reckoning!

[Alexandra Bollella]

"They're like swans. They're beautiful until their territory is threatened."

Nathan and Blythe untangle the obscured secrets that have been woven into a venemous web, that kept them distant. The destruction and dominance of the hurricane brought them closer, the eye of the storm is lingering, the continually damage is not done. It will suck you in and spit you back up with a coldness so bitter your surroundings become a disarray, questioning if you're truly safe. Remember, your past is buried deep beneath the toughness of mud, sometimes resurfacing in the trencherous rain, haunting you speechlessly. Lost time comes with Alliances formed, as the town gathers like a vicious sworm. Nathan is trying to pick up the pieces to keep the storm away, hoping the foundation keeps it's form and afloat. If not careful, the water will submerge overhead, wrapping itself like a serpent, constricting you whole. Blythes addiction to Nathans darkness and delvishly handsome looks, are what's keeping them afloat. Time is ticking, the web is woven hoping to not get ripped into high tide.

"Like silken threads, my mind was spinning current details into possibilities, sticking them to parts of my life in delicately spun web of fears I thought I had knocked down eight years ago."

I devoured this book in 24 hours! Wow what a ride! Nathan and Blythe have redeemed their relationship, navigating through the gloomy murky waters, as the pressure cracks the town of Shoals, hidden secrets emerge with heightened tension and emotion, blurred through the thick of the storm. Shoals has a facade, welcoming and friendly with a depth of raging waters pulling you down to the caves and chaos webbed together with history and question. Nathan and Blythe had me in the ultimate chokehold! Their passionate love, intense connection webbed in with obsession and addiction is  complex yet edged with blazing hot spice that will burn you up! The serpent is slithering, stealthy and calm with every intension to swallow you whole. All eyes are watching, hope you're ready for book 3!

[Brandy Poole]

“Nathan could mend me in ways that felt like alchemy, like the mixing of volatile compounds with an elixir, taming me until I could exist without becoming poison.” SWOON

5⭐️ | ARC Review

Alliance by E.M. Phillips
High Shoals Book #2

Okay… E.M. Phillips has officially done it again. 🥹🔥

We get to go back 8 years prior and finally learn how Mason and Shelby met and get their story from the very beginning. And let me tell you… this one was SO emotional. 💔

Then we get Blythe & Nathan, and I absolutely loved how connected these two are. From the very start, it feels like they’re on the same path, even when they don’t completely understand where that path is going to lead them.

Nathan is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to Blythe’s mom, and with every little piece of the puzzle they uncover, the plot just keeps getting thicker. 👀

The suspense. The mystery. The secrets. The connection between Blythe and Nathan. I was ALL IN. I love when a book keeps me guessing and makes me need to turn the page just to find out what the hell is going on next!

And that playlist? 👏🏼 Start it immediately. It just adds another layer to the whole reading experience.

I seriously cannot sing E.M. Phillips’ praises enough. She is such a master storyteller. She knows how to pull you into the story, make you feel everything right alongside the characters, and then leave you needing MORE.

If you love suspense, mystery, secrets, emotional connections, and a storyline that keeps you guessing, you NEED to read this one!

5⭐️ from me! ❤️‍🔥

Voluntary ARC read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sean Waters]

This book was 🔥

If you haven't read @e.m.phillipswriting first book
"Chokehold" then pleaseeee go do so now before reading this review!

This book has has mystery, romance, ROMANCE ROMANCE , and the drama is 😏

There's so much happening in this book, but what stuck with me most was the way these characters are carrying so much hurt while still trying to find their way back to each other. Mason's heartbreak, Blythe's confusion, and everything left unsaid between Blythe and Nathan made their story feel so personal. When they finally come back together, you can feel just how much has been sitting between them.

I also loved how the setting added to everything. This small Florida town looks almost perfect from the outside, but there's something uncomfortable underneath it all.

Everyone has secrets, everyone is hiding something, and the more you find out, the harder it is to trust LITTERALLY anyone.

Also, Nathan and Mason being forced to work together might honestly may be the part that made me the most irritated but so glad too. Watching two people who absolutely cannot stand each other put that aside because they both care about Blythe was wholesome af.

This book made me feel frustrated, anxious, angry, sad, confused and completely invested in these amazing characters. E. M. Phillips really knows how to make you care about here characters even when they are a complete mess.

I'm so ready for the third book! "Reckoning" is going to be so such a good read, to know how this all comes together!

p.s: (omg that whipped cream scene though)

[Claire Alder]

ARC Review

This book… WOW! 🤯

I absolutely loved the first book, but the layers in this one are INSANE! There is so much more happening beneath the surface, and I was completely hooked.

I loved Blythe and Nathan’s relationship and watching it develop throughout the story. Their chemistry and spice are next level, and then you throw Mason into the mix? That delicious love triangle adds an entirely new level of tension, chaos👀🔥

But this book has SO much more to offer than just the spice. The deception, secrets, twists, and mystery had me completely captivated. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another layer was revealed, and now I feel like I’ve been pulled under and held captive by Shoals.

And the ending?! I have SO many questions and I am desperate for answers. I need to know what is going on, what happens next, and where this story is going!

I am officially obsessed, completely invested, and NEEDING MORE. 🖤

[Billie Saunders]

I received this as an advanced readers copy.

Continuing from book one we find out more about Blythe and her ex-fling. That girl can make all the men want her without realizing it’s not just about looks.
It’s takes all of them to figure out more about her mother and possibly the rest of the town’s secrets.

[Elaine Ayres-Murphy]

I am thoroughly enjoying the delicious amorousness within this series & the mystery narrative.

My only complaint is that I now need to wait for book 3 ☹️🤭